Reed Urges Kids to Submit Their Favorite Healthy Recipes for a Chance to Attend Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House
National recipe contest to promote healthy eating
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed wants Rhode Island kids to show off their culinary skills and win a trip to the second annual White House Kids’ “State Dinner.”
First Lady Michelle Obama, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, and Epicurious.com are offering kids a chance to participate in a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy school lunches, and the winner from each state will be invited to a White House Kids’ “State Dinner” this summer. Last year, Caroline Cowart, a 12-year-old from Cranston, was selected as the winner from Rhode Island. Caroline’s healthy recipe for a Broccoli and Cheese Egg White Omelet was one of 54 winners selected from more than 1,200 participants nationwide who created nutritious lunchtime meals using each of the five food groups. She and other winners from across the country met with President Barack Obama and the First Lady.
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” invites kids between the ages of 8 and 12 to work with their parents or legal guardian to create an original, nutritious lunchtime recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty. Entries should represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and low-fat dairy foods. Entrants are encouraged to reference the nutritional guidelines of the USDA’s site, ChooseMyPlate.gov, to ensure recipes meet the primary criterion of being healthier.
“This is a great opportunity for kids and their parents to work together to promote healthy living and to win a chance to attend the second annual Kids’ “State Dinner.” The contest is a fun way for kids and their parents to share recipes for good food and healthy eating habits,” said Reed, who helped increase federal funding for school breakfast and lunch programs through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act so more kids will have access to a stable source of nutritious food.
The winning recipes from last year’s challenge are available free online in a downloadable cookbook named the Healthy Lunch Challenge Cookbook that also features nutritional analysis, and photos and drawings of the recipes.
Recipes for the 2013 contest may be submitted now through May 12, either online at or via mail at:
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner”
c/o Epicurious.com
1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Winners will be notified in late June. The White House Kids’ “State Dinner” is currently scheduled to take place in July or August 2013. Winners will receive free air travel to Washington, DC and accommodations at a Westin Hotel.
For more information and contest rules, visit: Epicurious.com.
